ENFJ Personality Type – The “Mentor”

Extraverted (E), Intuitive (N), Feeling (F) and Judging (J)

The ENFJ personality type is nicknamed the "Mentor" and belongs to the NF Visionary temperament.
ENFJs are driven by their desire to help
others reach their fullest potential. They are
affectionate, charismatic and deeply caring.
ENFJs feel called to enrich the world with their altruistic contributions. They are often called upon to help others in times of need.

ENFJs direct their energy outward. They are gregarious, talkative and assertive. They love people and social gatherings. They are energized by interaction, are expressive and enthusiastic. Mentors are Intuitive. They are imaginative and deep. Their thought process is abstract and focused on possibilities. They are idealistic and complex people. ENFJs are Feelers that make decisions with their heart. They are passionate and profoundly empathetic, caring and warm. ENFJs are decisive, organized and structured. They like to complete tasks and they seek closure. They often plan ahead.

Relationships are the centerpiece in the ENFJ's life. Everything they do revolves around establishing a meaningful connection. Their greatest desire is to praise, nurture and understand. They are very protective of the people they love. They enjoy spending time with people and possess the ability to bring out the very best in others. ENFJs inspire others to learn, develop and grow. They seek reconciliation and healing in conflict situations.

"A man who won't die
for something is not
fit to live." — Martin Luther King Jr.

Mentors learn through interaction and imitation. They see connections in every aspect of life. For Mentors, learning is a global and integrative process. Personal growth has to do with finding their calling in life. They possess a great sense of mission and purpose.

Describing an ENFJ

ENFJs can often be described with these words. They commonly posess the following strengths and weaknesses.

Characteristic of an ENFJ

Idealistic

Sociable

Warm

Gregarious

Introspective

Expressive

Altruistic

Complex

People-oriented

Caring

Charismatic

Assertive

Positive

Supportive

Encouraging

Organized

Abstract

Enthusiastic

Loyal

Leader

Empathetic

Selfless

Affectionate

Passionate

Typical Strengths

Can read others motives and feelings

Excellent communication skills

Driven to meet others needs

Affectionate, loyal and affirming

Honors commitments

Possible Weaknesses

Can harbor hurt feelings

Tendency to manipulate

Tendency to smother

Blames self when things go wrong

ENFJs make up 4% of all 16
personality types. ENFJs are one of the most rare
personality types. Of the NF types, ENFJs are the least
common (along with ENTJs).

1 in every 40 males is an ENFJ (2.5% of
all males). 1 in every 18 females is an ENFJ (5.5%
of all females). Male ENFJs are the least common
type-gender combination for Extraverts
(along with female ENTJs).

There are significantly more female
ENFJs than male, with females
outnumbering males more than 2 to 1. One reason there are more female ENFJs
is that females tend to be Feelers (F)
while males are more often Thinkers (T).

ENFJ Preferences

Extraverted (E)

Extraversion is characterized by a preference to focus on the world outside the self. ENFJs are energized by social gatherings, parties and group activities. Extraverts are usually enthusiastic, gregarious and animated. Their communication style is verbal and assertive. As Extraverts, ENFJs often need to talk. They enjoy the limelight.

Feeling (F)

As Feeling people, ENFJs are subjective.
They make decisions based on their principles and values.
They are ruled by their heart instead of their head.
ENFJs judge situations and others based on their feelings and extenuating circumstances.
They seek to please others and want to be appreciated.
They value harmony and empathy.

Intuitive (N)

People with Intuition live in the future.
They are immersed in the world of possibilities.
They process information through patterns and impressions.
As Intuitives, ENFJs value inspiration and imagination.
They gather knowledge by reading between the lines.
Their abstract nature attracts them toward deep ideas, concepts and metaphors.

Judging (J)

As Judging people, ENFJs
think sequentially.
They value order and organization.
Their lives are scheduled and structured.
ENFJs seek closure and enjoy completing tasks.
They take deadlines seriously.
They work then they play.
The Judging preference does not mean judgmental.
Judging refers to how a day-to-day activities at dealt with.

ENFJ Cognitive Functions

Every person engages the world through four Cognitive Functions.
The ENFJ's primary function is Extraverted Feeling and secondary is Introverted Intuition.

Extraverted Feeling (Primary)

ENFJs use this function most often. When Feeling (F), ENFJs make decisions based on feelings.
The Extraverted Feeling function allows ENFJs to tune their behavior to the needs of others.
Is it the ability to relate and the desire to connect with others with warmth and consideration as well as draw others out and responds to expressed or unexpressed needs.

Introverted Intuition (Secondary)

ENFJs use of this function is somewhat high. With Intuition (N), ENFJs process data through impressions, possibilities and meanings. Introverted Intuition enables Mentors to have a sense about the future.
It is the ability to grasp a pattern or plan.
Information that is hard to understand and dissect is more easily processed through Introverted Intuition.

Extraverted Sensing (Tertiary)

ENFJs use this function but to a lesser degree. Through Sensing (S), ENFJs process data with their five senses.
The Extraverted Sensing function allows them to process life through their experiences.
It is being aware of what is seen, smelled, touched, heard and tasted.
It is being energized by experience and living "in the moment."

Introverted Thinking (Least)

ENFJs use this function least of the four. While Thinking (T), Mentors make decisions based on logic and reason.
The Introverted Thinking function enables them to categorize and analyze information that they receive.
It is the ability to identify inconsistencies and know how things work as well the ability to solve problems.

ENFJs and Work

ENFJs thrive when they are in a position to help others. They do well in environments that provide meaningful interaction and very little conflict. They get bored when the job involves too many details or paperwork. They are natural teachers and counselors. They work with enthusiasm and order.

ENFJ Career Matches

People with the ENFJ personality type may find satisfaction with the following careers which tend to match well with their Mentor personality.

Conclusion

ENFJs value honesty, openness and understanding in their relationships. Their greatest contribution is their ability to throw all their energies into developing others and making a lasting difference in people's lives.